The stage is set for Sean Avery’s return to the Rangers this afternoon via re-entry, but The Post has been told Islanders’ general manager Garth Snow has been coy concerning the possibility of claiming the winger on waivers.

It’s a long shot, given the combination of Avery’s stated desire of playing only for the Rangers and the enemies he has made on the Islanders with his play and mouth, but it is always impossible to predict what Charles Wang’s organization might do, especially because they could hurt the Rangers on the ice and within the cap at a quite reasonable price.